Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Today marks the first day of #BrainTumorAwarenessMonth, an important time of year to call attention to brain tumors and the unique challenges patients face. As part of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s continued commitment to make children with brain tumors, survivors and their families a national priority, we are excited to welcome neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta to our Board of Directors.  Dr. Gupta brings extensive clinical, research and journalism experience, including as associate chief of Grady Health System's neurosurgery service, associate professor of neurosurgery at the Emory University School of Medicine's, and as CNN’s chief medical correspondent, to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation community, and we look forward to the many ways he will help drive forward our mission as a valuable and expert advocate for pediatric brain tumor patients, survivors, and their families.  Read the full announcement at https://lnkd.in/eKJCAM85, including quotes from Dr. Gupta, PBTF President and CEO Courtney Davies, and Board Chair Jeffrey Gelfand, and join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Gupta to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation community! #CNN #nonprofitnews #philanthropy

As we cheer for #TeamUSA in the Olympics, we're also cheering for Kannapolis Cannon Ballers' General Manager and longtime Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation supporter, Matt Millward, who is currently in Paris raising awareness and money to support kids with brain tumors. Each gold medal won by Team USA translates into funds that directly support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's mission to provide families with critical resources and accelerate research for a cure and the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers' annual Starry Night game, rallying the community together for a powerful cause. Thanks to Matt's passion and dedication, he has already surpassed his $4,000 goal, but the games aren't over yet! Visit https://lnkd.in/erpMwNfh to support his campaign and stay up to date with his adventures during the #ParisOlympics.

When a child finishes treatment for a brain tumor, the journey has only begun. Although this journey can feel overwhelming, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Life After Diagnosis resource center offers parents, caregivers, and survivors the tools and support they need to plan for the months and years ahead. Discover a variety of resources covering essential topics and discover a community that can understand the challenges in your journey. Visit the Life After Diagnosis Resource Center today at https://lnkd.in/ejqg8shb

Thanks to the support of donors like you, we've made incredible strides toward improving the lives of children with brain tumors. Scientists and researchers have been able to unlock more answers and accelerate the discovery of safer ways to diagnose and treat pediatric brain tumors. Thanks to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's seed funding, a groundbreaking discovery was made for targeting pediatric low-grade gliomas - the most common childhood brain tumor. Your gift has a transformative impact to keep cutting-edge research like this moving forward and ultimately end childhood brain cancer. Donate today at curethekids.org

Navigating a child's brain tumor diagnosis can be a deeply emotional and challenging experience for parents and caregivers. Understanding palliative care and its benefits can greatly enhance the support, education and comfort a family receives. Join us for our next webinar on Thursday, August 22, at 1:30 ET/10:30 PT to learn about the differences between palliative care and hospice and how palliative care can be a vital part of your child's care. We will be joined by pediatric psychologist Dr. Chrissy Salley of Courageous Parents Network and parents Anne and Nils who will both provide valuable insights and perspectives on the importance of palliative care. Register today at curethekids.org/webinar. Thanks to the generosity of donors, this webinar is free.

As the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week kicks off tomorrow, we'd like to congratulate this year's class, who join legendary players like Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Ambassador and San Francisco 49ers' defensive lineman, Bryant Young. Two years ago, during his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Bryant invited the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and brain tumor survivor Zion to share in the moment. This event was not solely about his accomplishments; it served as a poignant tribute to his son, Colby, who passed away from a brain tumor at just 15 years old. Throughout their family's journey, Bryant, his wife Kristin, and Colby's siblings showed incredible strength and unity. Colby’s siblings created shirts designed with a Superman-themed logo featuring a bold "C" at its center. One of these shirts is now displayed alongside Bryant’s memorabilia in his locker at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Colby's legacy continues to inspire countless families facing this life-changing diagnosis and motivates supporters to fuel efforts to find a cure for pediatric brain cancer. You can watch a portion of Bryant's speech, where he shares his family’s experience with childhood brain cancer, at https://lnkd.in/ehDivbzM

August is National Make-A-Will Month and we've partnered with FreeWill to help you get started with making these important plans. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, you become a beacon of hope for countless families facing the daunting challenges of childhood brain cancer. Free Will makes it easier than ever to start your will and protect the people, things and causes you love. Visit https://lnkd.in/eWmz7ehM to learn more about how you can create a brighter future for children with brain tumors. . #StartYourLegacy

Last week we were joined by Senator Chuck Grassley and other key stakeholders to discuss the importance of the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act and its passage through Congress to ensure that children with brain tumors and other complex diseases can receive the care they deserve. In this brief clip, hear from brain tumor survivor and advocate Charlie, who testified in front of Congress to support this critical bill last year, and Senator Grassley about the significant impact personal patient stories have on legislative efforts. If you missed the town hall, you can watch it in full here: https://lnkd.in/dkwMekUy

We are incredibly grateful to United States Cold Storage, Inc. McClellan Park for selecting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to support during their annual Connect for a Cause campaign! A special thanks goes to Tim Gould and the Throttle Nutz riding group, who have participated in the Ride for Kids events each year, demonstrating unwavering dedication to raising critical funds and awareness for children with brain tumors and their families. After learning about the significant funding gap in pediatric brain tumor research, their employees were inspired to take action, aiming to support parents, caregivers, and families affected by this devastating disease. Eleven passionate employees have already launched their own fundraising campaigns, and with an upcoming vendor campaign on the horizon, they are well on their way to achieving their $15K goal! You can support US Cold Storage by donating at https://lnkd.in/e4BcWdVn, Thank you for your support, dedication, and passion for making a difference! Together, we can end childhood brain cancer!

When Graham, a sweet kid who was usually full of energy and loved to eat, started becoming a picky eater and showed no interest in opening his presents on Christmas Day, his parents immediately knew something was wrong. On Christmas morning of 2022, Graham was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma. “I struggled with being confident enough to advocate for Graham when I knew the provider wasn’t working out,” says Graham's mother, Abbie. “But then I realized I could vocalize my concerns and make a change." Initially overwhelmed by so much new information and challenges, Graham's family found the resources and tools they needed through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Starfolio Resource Notebook, designed for newly diagnosed families. Now one and half years after diagnosis, Graham's parents have found their voice to advocate for Graham to ensure he receives the care and attention he deserves. As Graham’s journey continues, his parents continue to advocate for Graham’s and their family’s needs, including appropriate medical care, insurance coverage, and both physical and emotional support. Read more about Graham and his family at https://lnkd.in/emw4_Uyb